Smriti Chitra (1984)

Synopsis
by Eleanor Mannikka

Aside from technical flaws, Smriti Chitra is an interesting biographical docudrama on the life of the Indian poetess Laxmibal Tilak. She was married off at the age of 11 to a much older husband, who soon leaves her in search of spiritual awakening. When he returns, he decides to convert to Christianity - and still goes on to become a major Sanskrit scholar. Meanwhile, Laxmibal on her own, begins to change over to Christianity also, and the married couple develop their literary talents as they continue to live together. There is more to Laxmibal's story here, in a docudrama that is primarily geared for audiences who speak Marathi (the language of the film), and are familiar with the poetess and her works.